UAE looks for new eyes in the sky

Middle East nations are about to launch a buying spree of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), but their first major purchases are unlikely to be the headline grabbing attack drones used by the US in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Instead, Northrop Grumman says it is receiving strong interest from Gulf states for its Fire Scout unmanned helicopter, which is suited for border and maritime patrol, and even to combat piracy.

The UAE is “very interested” in the aircraft, as is Saudi Arabia, says Gene Fraser, the vice president and deputy of strike and surveillance systems for Northrop Grumman, the world’s fourth-largest defence contractor.

Read more